Camp Jordan is getting a $2.3 million face lift for the new year.
The East Ridge City Council accepted two bids Dec. 13 that will kickstart the enhancements expected to give the athletic complex an updated, more professional appearance.
The goal is to ensure the park remains a priority destination for the more than 100,000 visitors who take advantage of its recreational offerings each year, city officials said.
The work will begin in mid-January with the renovation of the park’s existing concession and restroom facilities, the latter of which are in “dire need” of an update, said Adam Wilson, director of East Ridge’s Parks and Recreation Department.
“That’s probably where we’ve had the most suggestions from citizens,” Wilson said. “Having modern facilities is going to make people feel a little bit more welcome.”
The work will include the construction of new restroom facilities near the soccer fields, and new concession facilities will be built near the baseball and softball fields, shortening the distance visitors have to walk to find one.
Camp Jordan’s 13 baseball and softball fields will also see renovations, following the council’s acceptance of a bid from River City Athletic Fields during the Dec. 13 meeting.
The plan is to laser grade each one’s infield so it slopes toward the outfield, which will help to drain the water that puddles on the fields after periods of heavy rainfall, Wilson explained. The drainage improvement will shorten the time it takes for the fields to become playable after inclement weather, he added, which could mean the difference between having to delay a game for 24 hours after a rainstorm and having to cancel an entire tournament due to washout.
“So, yes, you may have to spend $100,000 up front on this, but look how many tournaments you’ll be able to save over the course of a year,” said Wilson.
Camp Jordan boasts an economic sales impact of over $3 million and an income impact of over $1.6 million, according to a news release.
Additional enhancements under consideration include new fencing, bleachers, shade structures and a park sign package, among others.
All of the renovation and construction work is expected to be complete within 240 days of the project’s kickoff. The work will be completed in phases. The goal for the baseball and softball fields is to have four of the 13 fields functioning by March 1, another four ready by April 1, and the final five fully renovated by May 1.
Wilson said the stage-by-stage approach will enable spring baseball and softball tournaments to take place at the park even as the work is ongoing, though he added that the size of those tournaments may be limited during the month of March, as the games would need to be confined to the four fields expected to be complete by that time.
Email Myron Madden at mmadden@timesfreepress.com